Northvale will revive town day celebration
Thursday, September 1, 2011
BY MIKE CURLEY
NEWS EDITOR
Northern Valley Suburbanite
NORTHVALE – After a four-year absence, Northvale Day will return on Sept. 10 at no cost to the Borough.
In the past, the Borough funded the event, which the Fire Department organized, until it became too expensive to continue, Mayor Paul Bazela said.
Northvale Day originated in 1996 to celebrate the Fire Department's 100-year anniversary, and ran until 2008.
The celebration, which will be held at Hogan's Park on New York Avenue, was resurrected through the efforts of Bazela, municipal employee Diane Frohlich, and Council President Ed Piehler.
"When I was running for mayor," Bazela said, "most of the children in town asked me if I could bring back Northvale Day. I said I'd do my best, because we can't use taxpayer money for it."
This year, the event is funded entirely by donations and sponsorships from local businesses, which will also cover costs for police at the event, Bazela said, adding, "Not one cent is coming out of the Borough for Northvale Day."
Inserra Supermarkets is the main sponsor for the event, along with the Cho Dae Church, East Coast Auto Mall, Acedepot.com, Northvale Body and Fender and One Fitness.
Frohlich said she felt this was the perfect year to get the festivities back on track because of how well the council was working together.
"It should be a great turnout," Frohlich said, "As long as we have good weather, it should be a great day."
The day will officially start at approximately 2 p.m. on Sept. 10, with a salute to the American Flag by the Eagle, Cub, Boys and Girls Scouts, followed by a moment of silence for the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
Entry will be free, and local bands and a disc jockey will provide the music. Bracelets for unlimited use of the rides will be available for $5, while other attractions such as the pony rides will have separate costs. Food and beverages will be available throughout the day.
Other attractions will include a home run derby for children, a shooting competition, face painting and a wiffle ball tournament for adults. The celebration will finish with a fireworks display at approximately 9 p.m.
"I think everybody's looking forward to it," Bazela said, adding they have been getting more offers for sponsorship and volunteers as the event approaches. He said the borough started a Northvale Day Committee to take donations throughout the year and keep the celebration going for years to come.
"The volunteers who put this together made my job very easy," Bazela said.
Email: curley@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6705
Source: northjersey.com